13 years of caring
Woman has delivered 5 children at PCH
Greencastle native Rebecca Treadwell has been blessed -- five times to be exact. She is the mother of five beautiful children, who have something special in common. Dr. Charlie Ho delivered all five of the Treadwell children at Putnam County Hospital.
"He took really good care of me," said Treadwell, whose children range in age from 13 years to 5 months.
Treadwell chose Ho as her doctor 13 years ago after hearing good things about him. By choosing Putnam Women's Healthcare, Treadwell felt she received excellent one-on-one care throughout each of her pregnancies.
"I had a great relationship with everyone at the hospital," said Treadwell.
"I adore Dr. Ho," she added repeatedly.
Following the delivery, the Family Life Center offers mothers private rooms and the opportunity to really bond with their newborn.
"Having your baby with you is important -- and the security of the facility," Treadwell added.
Each newborn has a small ankle bracelet they wear during their time in the hospital. The bracelets set off an alarm if they are carried from the secured area.
In addition to the security, Treadwell added she enjoyed the overall comfort of a small county hospital. PCH delivers, on average, 200 babies each year. Its Family Life Center boasts three labor/delivery rooms, which accommodate two visitors; eight postpartum rooms with a private bathroom, couch and rocking chair; and enough space for the entire family to visit.
When expecting mothers make an appointment at the Putnam Women's Healthcare, they will also be given the choice of Dr. Ho or Dr. Jamie Cooper.
"Patients always understand there are two doctors on staff," said Marcia Reed, manager of PWHC. "There is a possibility they could deliver with the other physician. That is why during the pregnancy, each mother is seen by both physicians, to help build that relationship and rapport."
Ho noted if a soon-to-be parent asks for his presence at a delivery, he makes himself available for the event. That is one of the things Treadwell admired most about him.
"Dr. Ho was not on call when I went into labor and he still came in to deliver my baby," she said with a smile.
Cooper has been on staff with PCH for a little more than three years. She agreed with Ho on the convenience of having their practices in the same building makes their job easier. With a secure and sterile back passage between PWHC and The Family Life Center, both doctors are close by for any emergency or need.
But, PWHC is not all about babies. It offers total care for women -- annual pelvic exams, Pap smears, birth control, and menopausal care. Cooper and Ho are both board certified doctors and work as a team.
The Family Life Center doesn't stop with the delivery, but provides new families with instruction on bathing a newborn, prenatal classes and a breast-feeding class with a lactation consultant on hand.
Anyone interested in visiting PWHC or Family Life Center will have the opportunity to do so during an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The women's health open house will have the opportunity to view the facilities, meet the OB/GYNs Ho and Cooper, ask questions and take a tour of the OB unit.
"I wouldn't go any place else," Treadwell added.